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Marriage is one of the 16 sanskars in Sanatan Dharma. According to religious beliefs, a person’s life is considered incomplete if he is not married. Marriage and giving birth to children are considered an important ritual. In a Hindu marriage, the bride and groom take seven vows. Through these words the bond between the bride and groom gets connected. In earlier times, people used to get married as per the wish of the family, whereas in today’s era, boys and girls like to take their own life decisions. For this reason, they also like to marry their favorite bride or groom. In such a situation, the question arises whether love marriage is permissible in Hindu religion.

Marriage is mentioned in the religious text Manu Smriti. According to the scripture, there are eight types of marriages in Hindu religion, where each type of marriage has been given a different name. In Manusmriti, women who are forced to marry are considered to be the worst kind of marriage. Apart from this, love marriage has also been mentioned in Manusmriti.

8 types of marriage

Special names for different types of marriages have been mentioned in Manusmriti. Love marriage is called Gandharva marriage. Apart from this, marriages of Brahma, Arsh, Dev, Prajapatya, Asur, Paishach and Rakshas have also been mentioned.

1. Brahmo marriage-In this type of marriage, the father finds a suitable groom for his daughter. According to the wishes of the family, the marriage is conducted as per the customs and traditions of the bride and groom. This type of marriage has been considered the best in Manusmriti.
2. Dev Vivah-In this type of marriage, the bride is given to the priest who conducts the yagya. This type of marriage is also considered best.
3. Arsh Vivah– In this, the groom’s side gives a cow or any property as a gift to the bride’s family during the marriage. This type of marriage is considered in accordance with the Vedas.
4. Prajapatya marriage-In this type of marriage, neither the bride’s family gives dowry to the groom’s family nor the groom’s family gives any gift to the girl’s family. This has also been considered appropriate in the scriptures.

5. Asura marriage-In this, the groom gets married by giving money and property to the bride’s family. This is not considered appropriate in Manusmriti.
6. Vampire Marriage-Where a groom forcibly marries the bride, it is called Paisach marriage. This marriage is not considered proper.
7. Monster Marriage-In this type of marriage, the groom kidnaps the woman and marries her. This is considered unacceptable in Manusmriti.
8. Gandharva marriage-Nowadays it is called love marriage, in which the boy and the girl themselves choose each other and get married.

Is love marriage right or wrong?

Love marriage has not been completely rejected in Manusmriti. Love marriage has been accepted in Manusmriti, although it is not considered the best marriage. In Manusmriti, Brahmo marriage is considered the best. Still love marriage has been recognized.

Regarding love marriage, it has been advised in Manusmriti that if the bride and groom enter into a love marriage, then they must take the blessings and consent of their parents. Apart from this, intercaste love marriage is not approved in Manusmriti.